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Jason Sudeikis honored his late uncle and Cheers star George Wendt, who died in his Los Angeles home on May 20, detailing what “an incredible influence” he was.
By Adrianne Reece Jun 02, 2025 2:24 PMTags
George Wendt, Cheers Actor, Dead at 76
Jason Sudeikis is raising a toast to his late uncle.
Over a week after Cheers star George Wendt—who portrayed Norm Peterson on the beloved NBC comedy series—died May 20 at age 76, his comedian nephew shared a touching tribute to him.
“There’s that old saying of, ‘Don’t meet your heroes’ because usually ‘they let you down’ I assume is the back half of that statement, but he’s not one of those people,” the Ted Lasso star said during the Big Slick Celebrity Weekend fundraiser for Children’s Mercy Hospital in Missouri May 30. “He’s as fun, kind and warm as any character he played on television or in films.”
The 49-year-old—who shares kids Otis, 11, and Daisy, 8, with ex Olivia Wilde—noted that Wendt was “an incredible influence” and encouraged him to follow his dreams of becoming an actor if he “really cared about it.”
After all, his late uncle’s career was a testament of dedication, as he landed his breakout role on Cheers in 1982—nearly a decade after debuting in the 1970s.
“He also always kept connected to his family and his roots: Both in Chicago, where he’s from, but also the time he spent here,” Sudeikis continued, referring to his uncle’s graduation from Rockhurst University in Kansas City. “And to a bar called Mike’s a whole bunch, where I think he logged maybe 18 credit hours.”
The We’re the Millers actor teased that Wendt’s time at the Missouri bar ultimately prepared him for Cheers, which he appeared in all 11 seasons from 1982 to 1993.
“We miss him greatly,” Sudeikis added, “and I love him dearly.”
Bauer-Griffin/GC Images
The tribute didn’t end there, as all the celebrity guests who attended the Big Slick event sang the Cheers theme song. And fittingly, Jason wore a jersey that had his uncle’s last name on the back to the fundraiser’s baseball game.
Sudeikis’ love for Wendt didn’t go unnoticed, as the late actor also praised his nephew in one of his final interviews last June.
“He’s such a great kid,” Wendt said on the Still Here Hollywood podcast at the time. “Very proud. Proud especially, not only of the success, but he’s solid. Have you read profiles and stuff? I mean he is such a mensch, so smart, so thoughtful.”
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